Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.

Sensitivity to hot and cold.

Severe toothache pain.

Sometimes no symptoms are present.

Swelling and/or tenderness.

Reasons for root canal therapy:

Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).

Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.

Injury or trauma to the tooth.

Why choose Victory Dental for root canal treatment?

We use a ceiling mounted high powered microscrope to aid in root canal treatment. Often without the use of a microscope, part of a root canal can be missed, causing problems down the road. Learn more about Microscope Dentistry.

What does root canal therapy involve?

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.

At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.

You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.

Testimonials

I just wanted to give a shout out and send a big thank you to all the staff who helped me out today. I haven't been to the dentist in a while and felt very welcomed by everyone. The clinic was super posh and elegant and the technology used is turn of the century COOL!!! The hygenist was extremely gentle and Dr. Ripplinger is extremely professional and pretty chill too. It's an awesome feeling when you're comfortable at the dentists office - of all places. I'm thrilled to have found an awesome dentist for my daughter and I -- we truly look forward to the years of service at this clinic!! As my duaghter and I always say after a good experience anywhere, "It's a repeat!!!" :)

Leslye V.

Dr. Ripplinger performed the perfect root canal (if there is such a thing); I have ultra sensitive teeh and have no tolerance for the water spray, compressed air, etc. blowing on my teeth. The Doc did everything perfect to numb the tooth and perform a painless root canal.